Banja Luka, 7 May 2001 (RFE/RL) -- The Bosnian Serb government called for calm in Banja Luka today, where thousands of Muslims are expected to take part in a ceremony to mark the rebuilding of a mosque, which was blown up in 1993. A statement issued by the government called on citizens to "show their tolerance."

The 16th century Ferhadija mosque in Banja Luka, which is the administrative capital of Bosnia's Serb entity, was dynamited by local Serbs in 1993.

A ceremony during which the foundation stone will be laid for a new mosque is expected to draw several thousand Muslims from across the Bosnian Federation.